Do Ultra-Processed Foods Cause Glaucoma?

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There was a recent study performed that showed a potential link between ultra-processed foods and glaucoma, which may lead people to ask if a diet rich in these foods could cause the condition. We’ll look at the facts of the case, and why it’s important to watch what you eat if you want to protect your eyes. 

Blood Glucose Levels 

The study saw that the association between glaucoma and ultra-processed foods was notable in both men and older adults. The hypothesis from researchers was that ultra-processed foods increase blood glucose levels, which could lead to this notorious nerve disorder. The study pointed out sweet foods as a particular culprit. 

Lifestyle and Glaucoma 

Glaucoma in Pittsburgh, PA, is a particularly tricky disease. It’s hard to know who will develop it and how badly it will manifest in the individual. There are also no guarantees when it comes to prevention. Unfortunately, some people can lead perfectly healthy lives and still end up with fluid issues and subsequent nerve damage. 

Regardless of these uncertainties, there have been enough studies done to draw a link between unhealthy lifestyle choices and glaucoma. Cutting back on processed foods, getting more sleep, and getting more exercise can all have a huge impact on your overall well-being and may reduce your odds of developing glaucoma. 

Glaucoma in Pittsburgh, PA 

If you’re looking for an optometrist in Pittsburgh, PA, with enough experience to treat your ever-changing eyes, it’s important to look for a staff with the best reputation. At Lappen Eye Care, with locations in Pittsburgh, McMurray, and Greensburg, our practice is built to help your vision thrive. Whether you could stand to make a few changes to your diet or not, we’re here to help you keep your eyes as healthy as possible.

What Is Rhodopsin, and How Does It Help Night Vision?

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If you’re looking to improve yournight vision in Greensburg, PA, you’re certainly not alone. The harder it is to see in the dark, the more you have to change your routine to fit your new reality. While you can’t stop the progression of time, you may be able to make a few lifestyle changes to slow the process. We’ll look at what rhodopsin is and the role it plays in how well you can make out objects when the lights go down.

What Is Rhodopsin?

Rhodopsin is a type of protein that lives in your retina. It absorbs light by breaking up the particles before sending the signals to the brain. Your body can make rhodopsin at any time, but it happens most when you’re in a dark room or in a place without a lot of light pollution. It takes about 45 minutes for your eyes to generate the protein, which is why it takes a while for your eyes to adjust from light to dark.

How to Have More Rhodopsin 

Sleep and darkness are both great for regenerating rhodopsin. You can also focus on getting more vitamin A in your diet, which is an essential building block for rhodopsin. Add more carrots, leafy greens, and sweet potatoes to breakfasts, lunches, and dinners to get the beta-carotene you need to make enough vitamin A.

See an Eye Doctor in Greensburg, PA

Your night vision is as important as your daytime vision. If you’re starting to find it more difficult to drive or make out objects in a room when the sun goes down, contact Lappen Eye Care to make an appointment with aneye doctor in Greensburg, PA. Our staff can give you the information you need to keep you safe.

Why Are My Eyelashes Falling Out?

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Just like the hairs on your head, eyelashes sometimes fall out and then regrow. But again, like the hair on your head, you shouldn’t have so much eyelash fallout that you’re left with sparse or no eyelashes at all. Eyelashes are there to protect your eyes from debris. If your eyelashes noticeably fall out, you may want to talk to your eye doctor in Pittsburgh, PA, about possible underlying causes.

Allergic Reactions

You may not have any other allergies but still have an allergic reaction to facial cosmetics and creams. Experiment with going makeup-free to see if your eyelashes stop falling out at the same pace.

Nutritional Deficiency

Believe it or not, your eyelashes need nutrients to grow and be healthy. Not having enough of certain nutrients or not having enough in your diet can actually lead to eyelash loss.

Excess Alcohol and/or Nicotine

Both alcohol and nicotine block nutrients from being absorbed into the body. If you drink too much or smoke—including vaping—you could be robbing your eyelash follicles of essential nutrients. Consider making different lifestyle choices to find out if this improves in your eyelashes’ health.

Makeup and Cosmetic Practices

Wearing a lot of eye makeup or using eye creams and false eyelashes can affect your natural lashes. Although it seems negligible, the tugging, pulling, and friction from eye cosmetic applicators can exacerbate eyelash shedding. Using old or expired makeup can also cause infections.

Eyelid Infections

Conditions such as blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelid margins, can cause eyelash loss. Infections can damage eyelash follicles and disrupt normal growth.

In Pittsburgh, PA, medical eye care services are available at Lappen Eye Care. We also have offices in McMurray, Greensburg, and Pittsburgh for your convenience. Contact us today to book your appointment.

When Should I Be Concerned About Occasional Double Vision?

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Seeing double is a relatively normal occurrence for most of us, even if it happens rarely. The medical term is diplopia and it’s defined as seeing two different images of a single item (regardless of whether it’s a person or a piece of furniture). It may go away with a blink or two or a good night’s sleep, but not always. We’ll look at the specifics of the condition and what you can do if you’re concerned.

What You Should Know About Seeing Double

Most people who have double vision won’t see their doctor for it, so it might surprise you that hundreds of thousands of people still visit a healthcare provider because of it. As one of the more common reasons to head to the ER, it should give you an idea of how often this happens.

Diplopia can sometimes be caused by dry eye syndrome or ill-fitting contact lenses. In this case, it’s as simple as an eye drop or a quick adjustment to fix it. Sometimes, it’s caused by something more nefarious, like cataracts or an iris abnormality. If you’re seeing double, it’s not unusual for this symptom to be accompanied by headache, nausea, or general blurry vision. If you’ve seen any type of change in the recent past, it might be worth a trip just for your peace of mind.

See an Optometrist in Pittsburgh, PA

If you’re getting blurry or double vision in Pittsburgh, PA relatively often, it might be time to talk to someone who can diagnose the issue as either innocuous or indicative of something more. At Lappen Eyecare, our doctors are here to treat the condition, regardless of its severity or underlying causes. Contact us to tell us more about your symptoms or to schedule an appointment.